This isn’t really the way I want to start any blog post. But a couple of things have happened in the music world that I’d like to address.

Sadly, on October 2, shortly after 8:30 pm (this is the final report, there were reports he died earlier due to poor LAPD reporting) due to heart attack. Responsible for hits a such as “Free Fallin'” and my personal favourite, “American Girl”, Tom Petty, age 66, will be considered a huge loss to the music community. Prayers and healing thoughts to his friends and family at this difficult time. 

There is no way to get away around talking about what happened on Sunday, October 1st. The shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas has left me with few words, which isn’t the best for a writer. I mean, what words can you really use to describe how you feel about it? Saddened, disgusted, and angry don’t seem to be enough. For many of us, these festivals are a way to unwind. A way to celebrate that “country side” of us that maybe we don’t often get to do. For some of us, it’s a “happy place”. So to think something this horrific could happen at something we take so much joy in, is absolutely heart-breaking. The country music community has come together and supported one another during this time and it makes me proud to be a part of it. Healing thoughts to the families of the victims and those victims still in recovery. You are all in our prayers.
This blog was never meant for me to be political. I won’t start now. The one thing I would like to say is that events like these are an EVERYBODY problem. We should all be concerned. 

Now, on to happier news.

CCMA Gala Dinner and Awards  

If you’ve ever been to a big union or work party, you have an idea of what the CCMA Gala Dinner and Awards is like. Ok. Not quite. There is a lot more security and a few more celebrities than you’d see at your pipefitters local Christmas party. 

Being in the media room, you don’t really get to take in any of what is happening in the main area. The winners of the awards are brought back so we can photograph them or ask them questions. It also means you don’t get to see the performances that they have lined up. This year it included: Dan Davidson, J.J. Shiplett, Jessica Mitchell, Dean Brody, High Valley, Jess Moskaluke and JoJo Mason. From what I was able to hear, it was fantastic.

The evening also included some pretty big awards. Here are some photos of the winners:

Country Music Hall of Fame Artist Inductee: Paul Brandt 

Photo Credit: Grant Martin Photography

Country Music Hall of Fame Stan Klees Builder Award: L. Harvey Gold

Photo Credit: Grant Martin Photography

Slaight Music Humanitarian Award: Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon

Leonard T. Rambeau International Award: Franck Boucheraud

CCMA Discovery Award presented by Country 107.3: Kalsey Kulyk

Roots Artist or Group of the Year: The Washboard Union

Songwriter of the Year presented by Ole: Song: “Time” (performed by Dean Brody)

Interactive Artist of the Year: Brett Kissel

Guitar Player of the Year presented by Cithara Guitars: Matt McKay

Keyboard Player of the Year: Bart McKay

Specialty Instrument Player of the Year: Denis Dufresne – banjo

Radio Station of the Year (Large Market): CKRY FM, Calgary, AB 

Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market): CHCQ FM, Belleville, ON 

Music Publishing Comapny of the Year: Ole (This is Ole’s 11th win in this category)

Record Company of the Year: Warner Music Canada

Record Company Person of the Year: Mike Denney – MDM Recordings Ltd.

Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year: Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group

Photo Credit: Grant Martin Photography 

Top Selling Album of the Year: Ripcord – Keith Urban

Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year presented by Music Canada: Side Effects – Dallas Smith

Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year presented by ACTRA RACS: Bush Party – Dean Brody

Photo Credit: Grant Martin Photography

This is an evening that really is something to see. If you are a country music fan and are coming to country music week, I highly recommend getting a ticket for this event.